1. Understanding Time SignaturesSIMPLE METERSBY EARL W. COTE` 1
2. When we look at the time signature we have to remember what the
top andbottom numbers mean. As long as you understand those numbers
playing inthat particular time should be fairly easy.The top number
refers to the number of beats in every measureThe bottom number
refers to what kind of note equals one beat.The time signature is
always placed at the beginning of every musicalcomposition. It sets
the style of the composition and helps all of the musicians tocount
in the same manner so as to be in the same place at the same
time.Imagine how hard it would be to have 85 musicians all playing
their part bycounting anyway they want. The meter is to provide
common counting practicesamong musicians.Next Menu 2 3. Any time
signature that isdivisible by an even number isconsidered simple
meter.Examples of simple meter are: 2/2,2/4,3/4, 4/4, time is
considered simple triplemeter but still falls under the
simplecategoryNextMenu 3 4. Time signatures that are multiplesof 3
and have eighth notes as theirbase are considered compoundmeter
Examples of compound meters are 6/8, 9/8, 12/8In compound meter,
the eighth noteis equal to one beat and the topnumber tells us that
there are either6,9, or 12 eighth note equivalent inevery
measureNext Menu 4
